April

As Mu Yang was cultivating atop Karin Tower, on the eastern side of Earth, on a certain island.

Knock, knock, knock!

The sound of firearms shattered the island's tranquility. Over a dozen speedboats patrolled the waters around the island, manned by fully armed teams in drab grey uniforms, looking like a mix of soldiers and bandits.

"Boss Lusha, the scouting party is back. They still haven't found Claren's whereabouts," a soldier-like man reported to his superior after taking the wireless earpiece off.

The superior took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling a plume of acrid white smoke. He shot the soldier a fierce glance and cursed, "Can't find him? Why aren't you sending more men? The Commander gave a direct order: we must find Claren. Even if he's dead, we have to bring back whatever he has."

The soldier shivered and quickly replied, "Yes, I'll dispatch more men to the island immediately."

"Get going then."

Commander Lusha waved dismissively, then sat there, continuing to puff away.

"Commander Huai En is really something. He's just a minor researcher, but what could he possibly have that warrants such a massive search… Ah well, I'm just doing my job. I can't worry about what the higher-ups are up to." Lusha stubbed out his cigar and sent a report on the situation to headquarters.

What he received was an order from headquarters: "Find him at all costs."

"Heh, these big shots just give orders. It's us subordinates who do the actual work." Lusha hung up the phone, spat on the ground with a grim expression.

As the frontline commander of the Ophiuchus Legion, he felt a surge of displeasure at being tasked with such a seemingly insignificant mission personally.

Meanwhile, on the island, a man with golden hair was hunched over, cradling a child, hiding in a small grove of trees. If Mu Yang were present, he would have recognized this man as one of the young couples he'd met on the train to Maple Leaf Island a few months prior.

The child in his arms was the little girl named April.

Claren's chest had a gaping wound, and crimson blood had already soaked through his shirt. "Cough, cough..." Claren coughed, bent over. The slight movement aggravated a wound in his lung, causing him evident pain.

"Waaa, Daddy, are you okay? April misses Mommy and little sister," the little girl April sobbed quietly, tears welling up in her eyes, her lips pouting.

"Don't cry, April. Mommy and Cypriel will be alright," Claren said, wiping April's tears, a hint of sadness in his eyes. April tilted her head up, "But our cruise ship sank, and Mommy and my sister never came up... Waaa... They're not coming back."

Claren's expression stiffened for a moment. He wanted to say something, but it got stuck in his throat, unable to come out.

Just then, sounds of a search echoed from the grove. Claren quickly covered April's mouth. After the search party had moved on, Claren made a decision. He stuffed a thick stack of blueprints and three jet-black stones into the small backpack behind April.

"April, keep these safe. These are Daddy's research materials." A flicker of grief and anger flashed in Claren's eyes. If it weren't for these things, their family might not have suffered this disaster.

"Daddy!" April sensed something and called out uneasily.

Claren was a researcher at a comprehensive research institute, specializing in robotics. As for what those three dark stones were, he didn't know either. He had peeled them off from a meteorite that had fallen from outer space. Claren never expected his research results to attract the covetous eyes of high-ranking officials in the Ophiuchus Legion. Their cruise ship had been attacked by the enemy during its voyage. His wife and younger daughter fell into the sea and never reappeared; he feared they were likely dead.

He placed his hand on April's head. "Be good. There's a small cave over there. Hide inside, and don't come out unless I call for you."

"Mhm," April murmured softly, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Here, this is your favorite candy. Eat one if you feel sad, and save them." Claren looked at his daughter, carefully unwrapping a piece of candy and putting it in her mouth. Then, he placed the candy jar, which held his daughter's snacks, into her small backpack.

Having done all this, Claren, with his weakened body, began to walk away.

"Remember, don't leave that cave for the next two days."

"Mhm," April replied tearfully.

Claren gazed at his daughter one last time, then turned and walked out of the grove. Only by luring the enemies away could April have a chance of survival.

After Claren left, the sound of musket fire echoed through the woods. The sky gradually darkened, and thin mist rose in the grove.

April hid in the small cave, waiting for her father to return. However, after waiting for two or three days, Claren still hadn't returned. Overcome by hunger, April couldn't bear it any longer. She sadly ate a piece of candy, carefully put the lid back on the jar, and placed it in her backpack. April, with her frail body, crawled out of the cave.

The cold wind howled, chilling and carrying a faint sorrow as it gradually swept further into the distance. April huddled, staggering towards the houses on the island.